PODGORICA -- Thousands of people rallied in the streets of the Montenegrin capital, Podgorica, on January 5, protesting what they call an inadequate response to a deadly mass shooting on January 1 and demanding the resignation of top security officials.
“Be fair and correct -- innocent citizens were killed,” said Marko Vukcevic of an informal student group that organized the rally.
“You failed to protect us and that's why you must resign immediately."
Demonstrators specifically called for Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic and the deputy prime minister in charge of security, Aleksa Becic, to step down.
Many protesters chanted "Resignation," "Your hands are bloody," and "Murderers."
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Thousands Demand Resignations Of Senior Ministers Over Mass Shooting In Montenegro
The mass shooting -- sparked by a brawl at a local bar -- killed 12 people, including two children, in the city of Cetinje on New Year’s Day. The city, with a population of about 13,000, is some 34 kilometers west of the capital.
The suspected shooter, Aco Martinovic, died on the way to the hospital after attempting suicide following the killings and subsequent manhunt.
Martinovic had previously had illegal weapons confiscated in 2022 and received a three-month prison sentence in late 2024, which he had appealed.
Police have not yet revealed the identities of the victims, but they are believed to have been relatives, friends, and godparents of Martinovic.
In Cetinje, site of the tragedy, some 2,000 residents converged for 12 minutes of silence at 5:26 p.m. -- the exact time on January 1 when the first four people were killed in the Velestovo tavern, located near the gathering site.
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Montenegrins Express Disbelief In Wake Of Mass Shooting
In response to the shooting, the government on January 3 announced a raft of new gun-control measures following a seven-hour session of the National Security Council, which is chaired by the country's president.
The proposed law, announced by Prime Minister Milojko Spajic, will mandate the reverification of existing weapons licenses and impose severe penalties for those who fail to surrender illegal weapons within a two-month period.
Spajic also said that hunting clubs would be verified and the authorities would establish an anonymous tip line where citizens can report illegal weapons possession for a reward.
While estimates vary, Montenegro has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Europe. In the country of just over 620,000 people, there are about 245,000 firearms in use, according to the Swiss-based Small Arms Survey.
Other estimates suggest the figure is lower. According to 2022 police data provided to RFE/RL's Balkan Service, there are over 100,000 legally owned weapons in Montenegro, while illegal firearms are estimated to number between 40,000 and 80,000.
The prime minister also highlighted staff shortages in law enforcement, noting that around 1,000 police officers had retired in the previous two years. He announced his intention to expedite the hiring of 200 additional officers.
Addressing questions about the police response, Spajic said all killings occurred within 20 minutes across five locations, describing it as "a tsunami of violence." He said police only learned about the crimes after the eighth victim was killed. It took five and a half hours from the last victim's death to Martinovic's body being found.
Cetinje Mayor Nikola Djuraskovic also called for the resignation of the political leadership among security officials and called for an urgent meeting of the country's parliament to discuss the matter.